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By using a protein found in the human ear, scientists have found that they can generate electricity. The protein is called prestin. In the human body the protein is responsible for moving hairs in response to an electrical stimulus from the brain. This process also works in reverse, allowing sources of motion (wind, body movement, etc) to generate electricity.

This research has given rise to the concept of a 'power skin'. The idea being that a building can be covered in this protein and thereby generate electricity from the prevailing winds, which may prove useful on structures built in space.